Motor and apparatus for controlling unattended parking lot



March 14, 1961 E. T. MAHONEY MOTOR AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLINGUNATTENDED PARKING LOT Filed Feb. 26, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.EUGENE 7T MAHONEY March 14, 1961 E. T. MAHONEY MOTOR AND APPARATUS FORCONTROLLING UNATTENDED PARKING LOT Filed Feb. 26, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Y .5 MW wk m NF MM M mm 1T M mm 0k #3 8 g mm N om w 6 mm mm mm #m vm mmvm om\ u Nu fl cm 2 on A L L ml 6m 8w 9% so: \FQIPP uvwl LLmOo 8N M L \QR 20 W NHL 0 N am ow wv mm/ M mm W rum mm W....@ TNT o I mm w h T 0 HmN. E 0

on the treadle in this manner. the system and apparatus be soconstructed as to be jump- .invention; r

MOTOR AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING UNATTENDED PARKING LOT Eugene T.Mahoney, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Johnson Fare Box Company, Chicago,Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 26, 1957, Ser. No. 642,496

6 Claims. (Cl. 318-487) The present invention relates to an apparatusfor controlling parking lots, and more particularly to apparatusautomatically operable to control admission of vehicles to parking lots.v i

In Chicoine et a1. application Ser. No. 525,972, filed August 2, 1955,and entitled Parking Lot Control System, there is disclosed and claimeda parking lot control system whereby vehicle ingress to and egress froma parking lot may be automatically controlled without requiring theattendance of an operator. The system comprises essentially anentranceway which is spanned by a gate movable between horizontal(closed) and vertical (open) positions. A driver of a vehicle desiringadmission to the parking lot needs only to actuate gate-openingapparatus for raising the gate. Once the vehicle clears the gate, atreadle switch is engaged which actuates the gate-lowering apparatus forclosing the gate. Exit from the parking lot is controlled in the samemanner by means of an exit-way which is spanned by a gate operated bythe same typeof mechanism as just described.

The mechanism which is initially actuated for opening the gate, in someinstances, is a treadle over which the wheels of the vehicle pass.treadle, the gate-operating mechanism is actuated. Since such parkinglots are usually restricted to only those persons having a right to parktheir vehicles therein, it is necessary that some means be providedwhereby the -mechanism may not be promiscuously operated. In theabovementioned Chicoine et a1. application it has been found that thetreadles may be actuated by an individual jumping thereon, the averageperson being able to exert an instantaneous force of about five hundred(500) pounds Thus it is desirable that proof. I

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus forcontrolling admission to a parking lot, such apparatus being jump-proof.

It is another object of this invention to provide a unique electricalcontrol circuit which may be combined with a treadle mechanism in such amanner as to prevent actuation of the parking lot apparatus by anindividual jumpingon the mechanism.

Other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds. i

Tothe accomplishment of the above and related objects, the invention maybe embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings,attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings areillustrativeonly, and that specific change may be made in the specificconstructions illustrated and described, so long as the scope of theappended claims is not violated.

In the 'drawingsi Fig. 1 is a perspective illustration of atypicalentranceway to a parking lot as controlled by apparatus of thisFig. 2' is a top-plan view in part sectionof a treadle switch structure;

As the wheels depress the- United States Patent 2,975,350 Patented Mar.14, 1961 Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along sectionline 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a jump-proof treadle;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the treadle of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit used incombination with the apparatus of the other figures.

Referring to' the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, anentranceway 10 defined by spaced curbs or rails 12 is spanned by a gate14 shown in closed position. A gate-operating mechanism 16 raises andlowers the gate 14 in response to actuation of two treadle switchmechanisms 18 and 20 respectively which are disposed on opposite sidesof the gate as shown. The gate 14 and its operating mechanism 16 iscompletely illustrated and described in the aforementioned Chicoine etal. application, so that insofar as it is necessary for a clear andcomplete understanding of this structure the disclosure of the aforesaidapplication is included herein by reference.

In operation, a driver desiring to enter the parking lot causes thefront wheel of his automobile to pass over the treadle 18. Operation ofthis treadle actuates the apparatus 16 whereby the gate 14 is raised.The driver then proceeds through the entranceway and into the parkinglot, this movement resulting in the wheels passing over the treadle 20which actuates the apparatus 16 in reverse for closing the gate 14.

The treadle mechanism 18 may be considered as comprising two of thetreadle devices 20, as will be explained in the following. In Figs. 2and 3, the treadle 20 comprises an elongated channel 22 of sheet metal.

a strip of insulation 32 having a plurality of openings 34.

The two bars 28 and 30 constitute the contacts of the switch, which maybe closed upon each other by a compressing force of sufficient magnitudeto deform the bars 28 through the respective openings 34; The strengthand character of the treadle construction are such as to withstand theweight of an automobile passing thereover.

The treadle mechanism 18, as generally indicated in Fig. l, is moreclearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 as comprising essentially two ofthe treadles 20 as just described and as indicated generally by thereference numerals 20a and 20b. These two treadles are positionedadjacent each other and are mounted on a base plate 36 by means ofsuitable end mounting straps 38. Positioned on top of the treadles andresting on the respective rubber strips 24 is a rigid plate 40 of sheetmetal which is movably mounted on the base plate 36. A suitable mountingcomprises a series of bolts 42 which pass through clearance openings inthe base plate 36. Nuts 44 received on the lower end of the bolts 42prevent plate 40 from becoming detached from the base plate. As will nowbe apparent, the plate 40 may be depressed toward the base plate 36,thereby compressing the rubber strips 24 of the treadles for closing theswitches contained therein. Also, it-will be noted that eitherlongitudinal edge 46 or 48 of the plate 40 may be depressedindependently of the other edge for operating either of the treadles 20aor 20b independently. Thus, as an automobile wheel passes from left toright (see Fig. 5) over the treadle, it will first encounter the plateedge 46, closing the switch of treadle 20a, and will then proceed toroll over the central portion of the plate, causing both treadles 20aand 20b to close the respective switches. As the wheel leaves the plate40, both switches willopen.

Referring now to Fig. 6, the electrical circuit which incorporates thetreadle switches and gate-operating apparatus just described comprises atransformer 50 having primary and secondary windings 52 and 54,respectively. To the primary winding 52 is connected two power lines 56and 58, an electric motor 60 being coupled across these lines in serieswith a set of normally opened switch contacts 62a. The motor 60 is apart of the gate-operating apparatus 16 and is drivably connected to thegate by means of a speed-reducing transmission and reciprocating crankarm assembly. Energization of the motor 60 thereby effects cyclicalraising and lowering of the gate 14, as will become apparent from thefollowing description.

Connected in the circuit of the transformer secondary 54 are fivediiferent relays, indicated by the reference numerals 62, 64, 66, 68 and70. Each of these relays has contacts which are indicated by the samereference numeral with a letter sufiix. The relay 62 is connected inseries with an up-limit switch 72 and normally open switch contacts 64a,this series network in turn being connected across the two terminallines 74 and 76 which lead from the transformer secondary 54. Adownlimit switch 78 having two contacts 80 and 82 is connected to theterminal line 74 as shown. The treadle switch 20a and the relay 66 areseries-connected between the contact 80 and the terminal line 76.Similarly, the treadle switch 26b and the normally open relay switch 66aare series-connected between the contact 66 and the relay 64, relay 64being connected through the normally closed contacts 70a of the relay 70to relay switch 64a and limit switch 72.

The relay 68 is series-connected to its normally open contacts 63abetween the contact 82 and the terminal line 76. The relay '76 isconnected in series with the switch 34 of the closing treadle 20 betweenthe contact 82 and the terminal line 76. A line 86 extends from theupper end of the relay 70 through the normally open contacts 681) ofrelay 68, wire 68, to the upper end of the relay 62.

The normally closed switch 64b of relay 64 is connected between theupper end of relay 68 and the arm of relay switch 761) which isshiftable between the two contacts 90 and 92. The contact 96 isconnected to the switch contact 82 and the remaining contact 92 isconnected to the line 88.

When the gate 14 is closed, the position of all the contacts andswitches in the electrical circuit are as illustrated.

It should now be noted that the relay 66 differs from the other relaysin the respect that closure of its contacts 66a is delayed by about 50to 80 milliseconds following the instant of energization of the relay.Any suitable time-delay relay may be used; however, for allweatheroperation, a mercury time-delay relay of conventional construction ispreferred. Such a mercury relay is sold by the Adams & Westlake Co., ofElkhart, Indiana, under Type 1140. This particular relay has a delaycharacteristic which prevents the contacts 66a from closing any soonerthan from 50 to 80 milliseconds following energization of its coil 66.

The up-limit switch 72 is contained within the gateoperating apparatus16 and is closed while the gate 14 is closed. However, as the gate risesand approaches its upright position, the switch '72 is opened.Similarly, the down-limit" witch 7% is contained within the apparatus 16and is responsive to movement of the gate for shifting its arm betweenthe twocontacts 66 and 82. In the gate-downposition, the contact 80 isengaged as illustrated.

As the gate rises during operation, the switch arm is shifted afterabout ten to fifteen degrees (10 to movement of the gate to the contact62. The particular switches 72 and 73 and the manner of actuationthereof are completely illustrated and described in the aforementionedChicoine et al. application.

Noting'Eig. 1, movement of a vehicle into the-parking lot willcorrespond to [the direction of arrow However, the relay 64 This beingtrue, the treadle mechanism 18 is arranged in such a manner that thevehicle wheel will first encounter the treadle switch 20a and thensecondly the treadle switch 2%. As the wheel rides up onto the centralportion of the top plate 40, both treadle switches 20a and 20b will ofcourse be closed.

Now assuming that the gate 14 is closed and all of the contacts andswitches of the circuitry are as illustrated in Fig. 6, admission to theparking lot may be gained by causing a front wheel of the vehicle topass slowly over the treadle mechanism 18. As this occurs, the treadleswitch 20a will first close. This immediately applies an energizingvoltage to the time delay relay 66 which starts the time cycle whichwill eventually close the switch 66a. As the front wheel continues toroll forwardly over the treadle plate 40, the second treadle switch 20bwill also be closed. After the lapse of about 50 to milliseconds, theswitch 66a will close, thereupon establishing an energizing circuit tothe two relays 62 and 64. As the latter two relays are energized, theswitches 62a and 64a are closed. Also, the switch 64b is opened. Uponclosure of the switch 62a, the motor 60 is energized, thereby causingthe gate arm 14 to rise.

Momentarily following the start of the gate rising, the limit switch 78shifts to the contact 82. Also, during the gate-rise period, the relays62 and 64 will hold-in by closure of the switch 64a.

As the arm approaches its upright position, the limit switch 72 isopened, thereby breaking the circuit to relay 62 and opening the switch62a. The motor 60 is thus de-energized and the motion of the gateceases. holds in by virtue of the closed switch 64a.

The gate thus being opened, the vehicle proceeds onwardly until itclears the gate, at which time one of the front wheels passes over thetreadle 20 which closes switch 84. Closure of this switch energizesrelay 70, thereby opening switch 70a and shifting switch 70b. Relay 64is now de-energized, which causes the relay switch 64a to open and thecompanion switch 64b to close.

As the front wheel leaves the treadle 20, the switch 84- will open,thereby de-energizing relay 70 and causing switch 70a to close andswitch 70b to return to its illustrated position.

A circuit is now established from the contact 82, contact 90, switch70b, switch 64b to the relay 68, energizing the latter and closing itshold-in switch 68a. S1- multaneously switch 68b is closed.

Now as the rear wheel passes over the treadle and closes the switch 84,the relay 70 is once again energized, causing its switch 70b to shiftvto contact 92. A hold-in circuit is now established for the relay '70from the contact 82, switch 68a, switch 64b, contact 92, and switch 68b.Also, an energizing circuit for the relay 62 is established from thecontact 82, through the switch 68a, switch 64b, switch 70b, contact 92,and line 88. The relay switch 62a is now closed, thereby energizing themotor 60. The gate arm 14 is now slowly lowered until it almost reachesits horizontal position, at which time the limit switch 78 shifts backto its contact 80 and the limit switch 72 closes. The moment the limitswitch 78 shifts to the contact 80, the energizing circuit to the relay62 is broken, thereby opening the switch 62a and de-energizing the motor60. The system is thereby placed in readiness for another complete cycleof operation, which begins by the front wheel of a vehicle passing overthe treadle mechanism 18.

As explained earlier, the switch 20a of the treadle mechanism 18actuates time-delay relay 66 having contacts 66a which are in serieswith the second treadle switch 20b. Thus, it is absolutely necessary foropening the gate 14 that treadle switch 20a be closed for a period oftime in excess of the pull-in time of relays 66 and 64 and that switch bbe closed before the front wheels of the vehicle leave the treadleplate. When these two switches are closed for this period of time, therelay switch 66a will close, thereby starting the cycle of gate opening.If an adult of average weight should stand on the treadle mechanism 18,his weight alone will not be sufficient to close either of the treadleswitches 20a or 20b. On the other hand, if he should jump on either endof the tradle plate 40, he could exert enough force to close one of theswitches. However, as explained before, it is necessary that bothswitches 20a and 20b be closed simultaneously and that switch 20a beclosed for a period of time in excess of the pull-in time of relays 66and 64. Since the force exerted by an individual jumping on the treadleis only momentary, it is thus apparent that the two switches 20a and 20bcannot be held closed for a sufficiently long period of time by jumpingthereon.

It has been found that from 50 to 80 milliseconds closure of switch 20awill permit closure of the relay contacts 66a by a slowly moving vehiclefor starting the gate-opening cycle.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising a firs-t switch, asecond switch, means for selectively actuating said first and secondswitch sequentially and simultaneously, means for yieldably opposingsimultaneous actuation of said switches, a time-delay relay connected tosaid first switch, a third switch operatively associated with saidtime-delay relay and actuable thereby,

said third switch being connected to said second switch, anelectromagnetic device operatively connected in series with said secondand third switches, said electromagnetic device having a movable elementwhich moves in response to energization of said device, two terminallines,

said first switch and relay being series connected across said terminallines, and said second switch, third switch and said electromagneticdevice also being connected in series across said terminal lines.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising first and secondswitches proximately disposed and independently operable, an actuatingmember, means interposed between both switches and said member foryieldably resisting actuation of said switches by said member, atime-delay relay having a coil connected in series with said firstswitch, a third switch operatively connected to said relay, said thirdswitch being connected in series with said second switch, anelectromagnetic device coupled in series with said second and thirdswitches, said electromagnetic device having a movable element whichmoves in response to energization of said device, and two terminallines, said coil and first switch being series connected across saidterminal lines, and said electromagnetic device, and said second andthird switches being series connected across said terminal lines.

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising first and secondtreadle switches positioned adjacent each other, said switches beingindependently operable, means for actuating said switches sequentiallyand simultaneously, a time-delay relay having a coil connected in serieswith said first switch, normally open contacts operatively mounted onsaid relay, said. contacts being connected in series with said secondswitch, an electromagnetic switch in series with said contacts and saidsecond switch, and two terminal lines, said first switch and relay beingconnected in series across said terminal lines, and said electromagneticswitch, said contacts and said second switch also being connected inseries across said terminal lines.

4. A jump-proof treadle apparatus comprising two treadle switchesmounted side-by-side, a plate mounted on said treadle switches forselective actuation thereof, a time-delay relay switch having twonormally open contacts and a coil, one of said treadle switches and oneof said normally open contacts being connected in series and therebyconstituting a control circuit, the other treadle switch having firstand second contacts of said coil being in series with the first contactof said other switch, a source of electrical power coupled in serieswith said second contact and said coil for energizing the latter uponclosure of said other switch, relay means, and means for coupling saidrelay means in series between the other of said two normally opencontacts and said source.

5. A control apparatus comprising two treadles positioned side-by-side;two switches operatively mounted on said treadles, respectively; meansyieldably opposing simultaneous actuation of said switches; a time-delayrelay having a first coil and a third normally open switch which closesa predetermined time after said coil is energized; two terminal lines;said coil and one of said two switches being series connected acrosssaid terminal lines; a relay switch having a second coil and a fourthnormally open switch which closes upon energization of said second coil;said second coil, the other of said two switches and said third switchbeing serially connected across said terminal lines; and an electricmotor serially connected to said fourth switch.

6. A control apparatus comprising two treadles positioned side-by-side;two switches operatively mounted on said treadles, respectively; meansyieldably opposing simultaneous actuation of said switches; a time-delayrelay having a first coil and a third normally open switch which closesa predetermined time after said coil is energized; two terminal lines;said coil and one of said two switches being series connected acrosssaid terminal lines; a relay switch having a second coil; said secondcoil, the other of said two switches and said third switch beingserially connected across said terminal lines whereby said relay switchis actuated upon simultaneous actuation of said two switches and saidthird switch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,861,149 Wood May 31, 1932 2,747,154 Abrams May 22, 1956 2,761,928Cooper et al. Sept. 4, 1956 2,790,874 Lund et a1. Apr. 30, 1957

